Anathema "Alternative 4 (2003 Reissue, Limited Digipak Edition, UK, Peaceville Records, CDVILED 73)"

Alternative 4 is the fourth album by the British rock band Anathema. It was released on 22 June 1998 through Peaceville Records. Like Eternity, Alternative 4 is sung with clean vocals. Various reviews categorised this album as experimental, depressing and atmospheric.

The album's title is derived from Leslie Watkins' book Alternative 3. Bassist and co-principal songwriter Duncan Patterson had read it a few years before they wrote the album. The book is about conspiracy theories, and most songs on Alternative 4 are about trust. Patterson is now playing in a band with the same title, and the songs are based on similar themes. In keeping with the theme of conspiracies, the album cover is a modified photo of American astronaut Buzz Aldrin (depicted as an angel) on the Moon during the 1969 Apollo 11 mission - this is in reference to the conspiracy of the Moon landings.

It is the last album with Patterson, and also the only album released without John Douglas. He was replaced by Shaun Steels in 1997 but returned in 1998.

Tracklist:

1. Shroud of False 01:37  
2. Fragile Dreams 05:32   
3. Empty 03:00   
4. Lost Control 05:50
5. Re-Connect 03:52
6. Inner Silence 03:08
7. Alternative 4 06:18
8. Regret 07:58
9. Feel 05:28
10. Destiny 02:14
11. Your Possible Pasts (Pink Floyd cover) 04:29
12. One of the Few (Pink Floyd cover) 01:51
13. Better Off Dead (Bad Religion cover) 04:23 
14. Goodbye Cruel World (Pink Floyd cover) 01:41 

Time:  57:21 

The 3 last tracks are sometimes mistaken for the ones on a supposed My Dying Bride / Anathema split that does NOT exist. In fact, they are taken from the 1998 Peaceville compilation titled "Peaceville X" (respectively, track 1, 5 and 14).

Front cover artwork by Tim Spear.

Cover concept by D. Patterson.

Band photography by Lili Wilde.

The album title refers to the "Alternative 3" television programme and book. In interviews, the band mentioned that they found "Alternative 3" too depressing so they came up with "Alternative 4", which is the album concept.

Recording information:

Piano and keyboards played by D. Cavanagh & D. Patterson.

Charming violin played by George Rucci.

Drum loops on "Empty" programmed by Andy Duncan.

Recorded at the Windings Jan / Feb '98.

Produced by Kit Woolven.

Assistant Engineer - Simon Dawson.

Mixed at Parkgate by Kit Woolven.

Assisted by Doug Cook.

Mastered at Transfermation by Noel Summerville.

Duncan Patterson - cover concept

Tim Spear - cover art

Noel Summerville - mastering

Lili Wilde - photography (band)